Podcast Summary: NASCAR, Catfish & Spaghetti, and McDonald's Sauce Rankings | with Bubba Wallace

Casuals with Katie Nolan | SiriusXM | August 21, 2025

Episode Overview

This episode of Casuals with Katie Nolan is a sports and culture mash-up made for listeners across the spectrum of fandom, from the “sports curious” to the “sports obsessed.” Host Katie Nolan is joined by co-hosts Isabella, Brady, Chris, and special guest NASCAR driver Bubba Wallace. The episode blends light banter on current sports stories, witty listener mail, NCAA and NFL analysis, fast food debates, and a laid-back, in-depth interview with Bubba about his life in racing, fatherhood, and McDonald’s sauce hierarchy. The conversation maintains the signature irreverent, inclusive, and playful tone that is the show’s hallmark.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Mailbag & Listener Engagement

• “Engineman from Benjamin”: Kicks off banter about MLB player Josh Naylor’s new nickname ("Thicky Henderson") and general baseball trivia ([03:29]).
• Nickname Talks: Katie and Isabella share their experiences with nicknames and identities, including Katie’s failed attempt to rebrand as “Kat” ([05:08]).
• Foul or Flop Segment Naming: Carrie from Chicago suggests renaming a podcast segment “Foul or Flop,” sparking discussion about originality in sports media ([07:09]).
• Beloved Ad Jingles: Christine from Maryland writes to defend the podcast’s Gordon Fisherman ad jingle, displaying the close rapport between show and audience ([09:56]).

Recent Sports Happenings & Analysis

Little League World Series Drama ([15:22]–[20:49])

• The crew breaks down a wild elimination game featuring Max Sansouci, comebacks, emotional moments, and youth sportsmanship.
• Quote: “The extra inning Little League World Series comebacks are so much… they hit harder because you feel bad for the kid on the mound.” — Chris ([18:38])
• Conversation explores the structure and emotional highs and lows of the tournament, highlighting the best of youth sports.

NFL & WNBA Updates ([21:01]–[33:43])

• Colts QB Controversy: Daniel Jones replaces Anthony Richardson as starting QB over developmental concerns; hosts bemoan the “boring” decision ([21:52]).
• Jerry Jones & GM Power: Katie riffs on Jerry Jones’ self-mythologizing style and role as Cowboys’ owner/GM, referencing her preview on Dallas radio ([24:41]).
• Athlete Fines in Podcasting: The show discusses Sophie Cunningham of the WNBA being fined for her podcast comments—a critique of league censorship and the future of athlete media ([29:55]).

Hot Takes & Fast Food Fandom

Defunct McDonald’s Menu Items & Sauce Rankings ([55:27])

• Katie and Bubba go down memory lane, rating discontinued McDonald’s items and passionately debating sauce preferences.
  • Bubba is a “barbecue only” loyalist.
  • Katie declares: “Nobody does a sweet and sour sauce like McDonald’s. It should be their pride and joy.” ([57:11])
  • Isabella admits to loving honey mustard, to the hosts’ mock dismay ([57:45]).

Catfish & Spaghetti: A Culinary Deep Dive

• Discussion on the viral story of Megan Thee Stallion cooking catfish and spaghetti for Klay Thompson—debunking whether it’s a Black, southern tradition or just a rare culinary mashup.
  • “Apparently, this is a...Southern black, like, staple.” — Katie ([63:35])
  • “Catfish okay for Monday’s dinner, and then spaghetti for Tuesday’s dinner... who puts catfish and spaghetti together?” — Bubba ([63:12])

Interview Highlights: Bubba Wallace (starts [39:48])

NASCAR Playoff Primer ([40:00])

• Bubba breaks down the structure of the NASCAR playoffs in simple terms (“16 drivers, three rounds, cut-offs”), emphasizing the win-and-in format and current points drama.
• Bubba is currently locked in, feeling minimal pressure after clinching his playoff spot with a Brickyard 400 victory.

Racing Danger & Pit Crew Pressure

• Recalls losing a wheel leaving the pit (“I got out of the car and I looked at my crew and I just laughed.” — Bubba, [45:52]).
• “We’re doing stops in eight seconds now.” — On pit crews and NASCAR’s insane precision ([46:18]).

Speed, Crashes & The Fear Factor

• Describes the terrifying experience of catastrophic brake failure at Pocono: “That was actually the most scared I’ve ever been in the car...I thought I was gonna die, though... and at the last second, the car repositioned itself, and I was like, ‘oh, thank God, this is just gonna hurt now.’ Boom, hit the wall.” ([50:02])

Partying After Wins

• NASCAR “winner’s house” tradition: “We fly home after every race...He [Ryan Blaney] came over to the house. We partied after Indy. Yeah, it was a good time.” ([52:41])
• Most post-race parties are pizza or wings, but sometimes it’s McDonald’s to represent his sponsor.

Athlete? Driver? The Debate ([53:43])

• Katie and Bubba discuss whether race car drivers are “athletes.”
  • “In a test setting, in our car, no one can run a lap faster than me.” — Bubba ([54:49])
  • “So shut your stupid mouth is what he’s saying. You’re an athlete.” — Katie ([54:56])

Culture & Pop Questions

On Michael Jordan as Boss ([70:53])

• “Super cool, super laid back. Really fun to be around.... He loves racing; has a really strong passion for NASCAR.” — Bubba ([70:59])
• On competition: MJ’s advice—“If you know you’re gonna go into something and lose, don’t participate.” ([71:38])

Fashion Faux-Pas: Jeans at the Gym ([65:36])

• The crew watches RFK Jr. and staff do a workout in jeans and a belt.
• “Work out in jeans? That's freak—I'm sorry, that's crazy.” — Katie ([67:20])
• Bubba diplomatically says, “We shouldn’t judge. They’re getting their workout in.” ([67:02])

Zodiac Chit-Chat ([69:07])

• Bubba reveals he’s a Libra. Katie describes Libras as charming, diplomatic, and fair-minded (“I think you’re charming. I think you’re diplomatic for sure.”—Katie, [69:38]).

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “Let’s fund them [the ads] up a little bit.” – Katie, on making podcast advertisements more fun ([11:04])
• “The extra-inning Little League World Series comebacks are so much… they hit harder because you feel bad for the kid on the mound.” – Chris ([18:38])
• “Nobody does a sweet and sour sauce like McDonald’s. Like McDonald’s. It should be their pride and joy.” – Katie ([57:11])
• “If you know you’re gonna go into something and lose, don’t participate.” – Michael Jordan advice via Bubba ([71:38])
• “Work out in jeans? That's freak—I'm sorry, that's crazy.” – Katie ([67:20])
• “So shut your stupid mouth is what he’s saying. You’re an athlete.” – Katie, summarizing Bubba’s athlete credentials ([54:56])

Timestamps for Important Segments

• [03:29] Listener mail & “Thicky Henderson”/MLB nicknames
• [07:09] Mailbag – “Foul or Flop” segment pitch
• [15:22] Little League World Series complete game breakdown
• [21:52] Daniel Jones named Colts starter, NFL analysis
• [29:55] WNBA, Sophie Cunningham fined for podcasting
• [39:48] Bubba Wallace interview begins
• [40:00] NASCAR playoff structure explained
• [44:09] Race danger stories (losing a wheel, brake failure)
• [52:41] NASCAR post-win house parties
• [55:27] McDonald’s sauce rankings & defunct items banter
• [62:43] Catfish & spaghetti relationship debate
• [65:36] Fashion question: "Working out in jeans" video
• [69:07] Zodiac Sign banter

Final Thoughts

The episode is a lively, breezy blend of sports, food, and pop culture—the perfect primer for fans who want to keep up without taking things too seriously. Bubba Wallace proves as charismatic off the track as on, while Katie and her team mix insightful analysis, humor, fan engagement, and irreverence. If you’re looking for complex stats and gravitas, look elsewhere; if you want to be in on the conversation at the sports bar, pull up a chair at Casuals with Katie Nolan.

For mailbag, sports banter, culture, and interviews, this one mixes it all and never loses the fun.

Contact the show:
casualswithkatienolan@gmail.com
Voicemail: 646-801-0043
Instagram/TikTok: @casualsthepodcast

[Prepared for those who want the highlights without the homework.]